A Journey Back to my Hometown: Rio de Janeiro.

Jan 3

The CIDADE MARAVILHOSA

A well spent time back home

There's something special about returning to the place where it all began - the place that holds the key to your roots, memories, and the essence of your identity.

Rio is honestly one of the most beautiful and fun cities that I know. It is known for its landscapes, carnival, samba, bossa nova, history and iconic beaches such as Barra da Tijuca, Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon.

I got really excited to go back home this year, the first stop on this nostalgic journey was my family home, but I guess one month wasn't enough as I had a big to-do list of places to go and eat, as I haven't been back for 4 years. We had the best time and I was really like a tourist, taking pictures of everything and still mesmerized with the beauty of this place.

Hidden Gem

I was born & raised in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, however I lived on the west side of Rio, a place not always known by tourists that you can add to your list if you are planning to visit.

This side of the city is much quieter (I got surprised by how much it has grown in the past years) but still a different vibe from the tourist and popular side of Rio, where its located the famous places like, Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana Beach…

I highly recommend you to explore this side of the city, you can stay in Barra da Tijuca or Recreio dos Bandeirantes, both neighbourhoods. It's a nice location to explore around this area. Here you find stunning beaches like Recreio and Barra’s Beach, Reserva Beach, Macumba, Prainha, Grumari and Guaratiba’s Beach. So many beaches, mountains, surf, tracks, restaurants & bars…

I love Rios’s lifestyle, their passion for life, people are always moving, exercising, chasing sunsets, smiling, it's such a lively cirty.…

Cidade Maravilhosa

We went to Brazil in August and stayed for 5 weeks, half in Rio, the other half in Sao Paulo (where my partner is from, really nice but a totally different city’s style). It was winter, but don’t worry. Rio is a tropical place, it was hot as. =) We had days between 26 - 35°C. In fact if you can’t deal with really hot weather, try to avoid going during summer.

We stayed in Recreio during our time here but we spent some days at Ipanema as well to enjoy that bohemian vibe, it was so good as well! Morning walks to Arpoador, soaking up the sun, delicious food and golden sunsets while enjoying drinks and music. It was bliss.

Food

I am all about food. If there’s one thing that I love, it is a good meal. The food in Brazil is insane. From traditional Brazilian dishes to exotic street food, it is a gastronomic paradise.

Some famous & delicious foods are Feijoada, Feijoada Balls, Barbecue, Codfish Balls, Fried Sardine, Acarajé, Cheese Balls, Pastel, Açai, and lots of amazing restaurants for all kinds of food.

Marambaia’s View

Got this pic from a restaurant called Mirante de Grumari, it's a place I always loved to go with my family or friends for a late lunch, they have the best food and the view !!